Safety signal device

ABSTRACT

A triangle emergency vehicular traffic diversion signal constructed of elements including the triangle members of uniform width and thickness for quick assembly into a triangular yield signal and the leg support members of uniform width and thickness. The elements are made of a material including an impregnated fluorescent material. The triangle members include a light-reflecting material thereon.

atent 10/1945 Hilberg Unite States I111 3,589,328

[721 lnventors John M. Kiniry 2.430534 1 H1947 Rodh 264/112- s mm B h; 2,473,877 6/1949 Goldstem 250/71 Anthony Finazzo, lndiarl Harbour Beach; 2,790,410 4/1957 Wald, Jr 1 16/63 John R. Carroll, Satellite Beach, all of, Fla. 2,869,504 1/1959 Andrewet a1, 1 16/63 2]] App]. No 842,520 2,957,444 10/1960 Boettler. 116/63 [22] Filed July 17, 1969 2,991,699 7/1961 Murray, Sr. 116/63 [45] Patented June 29,1971 2,993,465 7/1961 Ginsley et a1. 116/63 73] Assignee Tri-Vec, lnc. 3,422,265 1/1969 Bolasny 1 16/114 X Satellite Bleach, Fla; FOREIGN PATENTS Continuation-impart of applicationSer. No. 739, June, 1968. 6/1 Belgium i 1,417,681 10/1965 France 116/63 1,469,104 1/1967 France 116/63 571,852 1/1958 ltaly 116/63 [541 SAFETY SIGNAL DEVICE 1,375,342 9/1964, France 116/63 4 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figs. 621,851 1/1961 ltaly 116/63 1521 Us. (:1 116/63, Primary Emmi'1erL0uiS Capozi I 1 40 125 94 1 5 A tt0rneyEugene F. Malin [51] Int. CL... G081) [50] Field 01 116/63',

1 14, 63 P; 40/125; 91/ 264/1 12 ABSTRACT: A triangle emergency vehicular traffic diversion 1 signal constructed of elements includin the trian le members 1 References cued of uniform width and thickness for quicl assembly into a trian- UNITED STATES PAT N gular yield signal and the leg support members of uniform 2,208,080 7/1940 Overdorff .1 16/114 width and thickness. The elements are made of a material in- 3,135,235 6/1964 Romano 1116/63 eluding an impregnated fluorescent material. The triangle 2,387,512 250/71 members include a light-reflecting material thereon.

PATENTEUJUHZQISII 3589.828

ATT DRNEY SAFETY SIGNAL DEVICE This is a continuation-in-part of US. Pat. application Scr. No. 739,844 flled June 25,1968.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to vehicle traffic signals of triangular shape for yield of right-of-way for quick assembly and disassembly and compact storage.

Prior traffic signals of this general character are relatively expensive to manufacture, bulky to store and are readily displaced by normal wind or the air turbulence of passing vehiclcs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises triangle members of uniform width and thickness made of a material impregnated with fluorescent material and including light-reflecting material, and by members for supporting the triangular elements. The light triangular members when assembled provide a triangular sign detachably supported by the leg members. The safety device is designed to withstand buffeting by passing trucks and provides a safety device for daytime, dusk and nighttime use.

An object of the invention is to provide an emergency yield signal including high light reflective material on one side thereof for long-range visibility in dusk and nighttime use in the presence of light from vehicle headlights.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a triangular emergency traffic signal oflow-cost manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety triangle having a face distinguishable from the back during dusk,

and nighttime use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a safety triangle having a fluorescent material therein for daytime use.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a safety triangle for use during daytime, dusk and nighttime.

These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a front view of the signal device,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the signal device shown in FIG. 1, and I FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration ofa container in which all of the elements shown in FIG. 1 are stored.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in this particular embodiment, an equilateral triangle composed of triangle members 1, 2, and 3, pivotally hinged at two vertexes thereof by rivets 4 and 5, has the remaining vertex removably retained in position shown by a shoulder rivet 6.

One side surface of the triangle members 1, 2 and 3 is partially covered with light-reflective tape 7 attached, as by adhesive or other well-known means, to the triangle members. The reflective material is preferably red in color, and of a highly light-reflective type material. A pair of leg members 8 and 9 support the triangle members 1,2 and 3. All the elements 1,2, 3, 8 and 9 are made of material having a fluorescent material impregnated therein.

In the interest of manufacturing economy the triangle members therefor are formed with the same width and thickness and preferably ofa suitable plastic material. The leg members are of the same dimensions and include teeth 10 and 11 and weight compartment 12 for sealing heavy material, such as steel, therein.

The free end of the triangle member 2 has a notch 13 in the end thereof, for detachable interlocking engagement with the projecting portion of rivet 6. The triangle member I has a pair of spaced notched l4 and 15 in the lower edge thereof substantially equal to the thickness of the member for engagement of a like corresponding notch: 16 and 17 in the upper edge of each leg member 8 and 9. The notches provide a rightangled intersecting dual adjacent mortise means for the temporary engagement of member 1 with leg members 8 and 9 and the triangle members in a vertical position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates the triangle with its member 2 in a stacked relation in a container.

A substantially constant frictional pressure between members l, 2, and 3 at rivets 4 and 5 may be had, if desired, by the use of an arched spring washer, not shown.

It is apparent that well-known fasteners, such as eyelets, may be used as an alternate to the rivets, shown, and the shoulder rivet 6 may be replaced by one of several well-known snap fasteners.

The elements are manufactured of a plastic material, such as polystyrene, impregnated with fluorescent material so difused that it gives the signal device daytime application as well as allowing the front surface as shown in FIG. 1 to be distinguishable from the back surface. The reflecting material is not placed on the back surface of the signal device. The elements allow light from a light source to pass through the elements, especially 1 2 and 3 to provide a fluorescent glow to an observer on the opposite side of the safety device.

The safety device employs a vector principle to sustain wind resistance. The safety device is made of a flexible material, such as polystyrene. The top point of the triangle members flexes in such a manner so as to activate a downward pressure which causes the safety device to remain steadfast where placed by a user.

In operation the signal shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be disas sembled by removing the leg members 8 and 9 from the triangle member 1 and disengaging the notch 13 in triangle member 2 from its engagement with shoulder rivet 6 and then folding the triangle members in attacked relation.

All of the members are then positioned in stacked relation and inserted in a flexible plastic or envelope-type container 18 having a closure 19 retained by a conventional snap fastener or plastic-type zipper. The container provides a convenient compact package for storage.

It is apparent from the foregoing that one or more of the signals described present a relatively small frontal area and low center of gravity and thus highly resistant to movement from wind or turbulent air and enhanced by the relatively high gravity pressure against the road along the edges of the support member. The signal has the added advantage of quick assembly for use in a strategic position on the road or highway.

This invention comprehends certain modifications to the above-described structure within the features described.

We claim:

1. A triangular vehicular sign comprising,

three signal members constructed of a translucent material, said material impregnated with a fluorescent material, said three signal members includes connecting means to hold said signal members in the fbrm of an open triangular signal,

a light-reflecting media connected to a portion of the front face of each of said signal members whereby the front face and rear face of the sign are visable and distinguishable from one another,

supporting means connected to said] signal members to support said signal members in a generally vertical position,

said support means includes a pair of support members removably connected in spaced-apart relation adjacent their midpoint to one of said signal members, said support members are of uniform construction to provide duplicate front and rear portions for each support member,

said signal members are flexible to provide a windresistant structure,

said connecting means includes two pivot means one of which is located in each of two of the vertex portions of gripping teeth are provided adjacent both ends of said support means to grip the supporting surface. 

1. A triangular vehicular sign comprising, three signal members constructed of a translucent material, said material impregnated with a fluorescent material, said three signal members includes connecting means to hold said signal members in the form of an open triangular signal, a light-reflecting media connected to a portion of the front face of each of said signal members whereby the front face and rear face of the sign are visable and distinguishable from one another, supporting means connected to said signal members to support said signal members in a generally vertical position, said support means includes a pair of support members removably connected in spaced-apart relation adjacent their midpoint to one of said signal members, said support members are of uniform construction to provide duplicate front and rear portions for each support member, said signal members are flexible to provide a wind-resistant structure, said connecting means includes two pivot means one of which is located in each of two of the vertex portions of the triangular sign to movably connect the adjacent said signal members, said signal members are of uniform construction, and gripping teeth are provided adjacent both ends of said support means to grip the supporting surface. 